I would agree that the level of discussion could be more civil and eloquent, but let us not forget that Germany not all that long ago was swept away by a wayward leader, and I would say that few spoke out against him. The cost over 6,000,000 Jewish people and countless others that the leader deemed as not human.
I think we are all entitled to our opinions, but if an individual cries foul at the current leadership and is attacked for doing so, however un-eloquent or uncivil his claims, then we are heading down the wrong road. Dissent is one of the main ingredients that makes a democracy work. When the ability to disagree with current leadership goes away, we are on the road to somewhere I do not wish to go. Although this discussion is important, how do we frame this with regards to life in Saint Paul, rather than getting back on the federal track again? Tim, any suggestions? Pamela Ellison Como Park Saint Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom & Elsa Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "stpaul forum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 12:12 AM Subject: [StPaul] RE: MPD RE: Bush Visit We all see attacks on the constitution as egregious. I guess we just differ on what is egregious and in how we express our dissent on them. I see abortion as against the constitution, I see the right to own firearms as written into the constitution, yet I don't think you have to agree with me, only accept that we all have different beliefs. This response was uncalled for, profane, rude and insulting. This does not add to the dialogue we need to be having about what direction the country needs to go in, this slows and hinders that dialogue. Believe Right is right or Left is right, argue your case with eloquence. Stick to the issues and not personal insults or innuendo. I see Socialism and Marxism here in the United States, but Fascism? We are all entitled to our opinions. You state that you won't let others stop you from espousing your beliefs, yet you condemn others who have beliefs that differ from you. Where is your open mindedness? Why can't others have an opinion different from you? We are not all Borg's being assimilated. I don't think Paul has anything to be ashamed of. He has an opinion and I am glad he presented it. I'm glad you presented yours. They do show a striking difference between beliefs and tolerance though. Tom Thompson Como Park Original Message: "on 8/19/04 9:18 PM, Paul Kuettel wrote: > Hi All! > > I had 4 ducats to the GWB Bash, but shied away from the potential wait, > and I was prescient. > > Mitch Berg had VIP tix and my 14-year-old Drew became "Darryl Berg" for > a day. > > Came home with campaign stuff like those obnozious inflatable baseball > bats and eyes the size of saucers. > > How interesting that 15,000 patient and enthusiastic Americans v. 200 > mugwumps got equal press in the dailies. > > Cheers! > > PK > Falcon Heights" "Read 'em and weep. Bush's first three years got all the coverage and resisters not a sou's worth. This rightwing pap is so sick it's unbelievable. Democracy is sloppy, unkempt, unorganized and costs money and time and resources. But it is not threatening, except to those who would strip it away from us, especially our unelected leaders. Get this straight, Paul: this is the United States of America. You want fascism? Go somewhere else. Read the Constitution your President has tattered and torn to shreds in the name of God and national security. The people are not only given the right, but the responsibility to resist. Dissent is not treason. This damned country was founded on dissent. Attempts to stifle it or shame it out of our system will meet with another real revolution, I guarantee it. Throw all the deputized goons in unneeded riot gear at us you will, you'll not stop us from defying attempts to scuttle the Bill of Rights. It may serve you to dump it, but the rest of this nation - the world for that matter - value those freedoms you bums say you're protecting by bombing the shit out of thousands of innocent Iraqis, raping them, beating and killing naked, defenseless detainees, then driving dump truck barriers between citizens and their President. Junk. All of it. Resistance is here. Change is coming. The terrorists are they who govern for the moment. They are at war with their own, not just Islam. We are America. We are the patriots. Why aren't you petrified for the soul of your nation? Shame on you. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul" -- _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
